A new study led by the University of Queensland scientists has found that endangered green and leatherback turtles are eating more plastic than ever before.

Researchers from the School of Biological Sciences and CSIRO’s Wealth from Ocean’s Flagship conducted an analysis of global research data from the last 25 years, finding that green turtles are today twice as likely to ingest plastics than in 1985.

PhD student Qamar Schuyler who led the study said, “Turtles eat more plastic that any other form of debris, and young ocean-going turtles are more likely to eat plastic than are their older, coastal dwelling relatives.”